AURN News

In this episode of Hollywood Live with Tanya Hart, Tanya brings the latest updates from Hollywood as the community continues to recover from devastating wildfires. The Grammys are confirmed for February 2nd, and Clive Davis’ 50th annual pre-Grammy bash will proceed with a purpose: raising funds for fire relief efforts and honoring the bravery of first responders. Tanya highlights the Recording Academy and MusiCares’ commitment of $1 million to support music professionals affected by the fires and their plans to raise even more during Grammy week.

Tanya also shares insights into Wendy Williams’ recent appearance on The Breakfast Club podcast, where the legendary TV host spoke candidly about her long-standing feud with Diddy. Fans are now clamoring for Wendy to make a comeback to television, and Tanya sends well wishes for Wendy’s continued recovery.

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In this heartfelt episode of Hollywood Live with Tanya Hart, Tanya shares updates on Los Angeles’ recovery from the devastating wildfires. Despite the widespread destruction, there’s a ray of hope as the Grammys are set to proceed on February 2nd, with plans to turn the event into a significant fundraiser. Tanya reflects on global support, local cleanup efforts, and her own contributions to aid those affected.

She also highlights Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD initiative, which has donated $2.5 million to the LA Fire Relief Fund. This generous contribution will help families in the Altadena and Pasadena areas, as well as churches and community centers addressing immediate needs. Tanya commends Snoop Dogg and other entertainers for stepping up during this critical time and shares the optimism of rebuilding.

Stay tuned for upcoming conversations with celebrities about their wildfire relief efforts and ways you can help.

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(AURN News) — The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal law Friday that will effectively ban TikTok in the United States unless its Chinese owners sell their stake, rejecting claims that the measure violates First Amendment rights.

The law, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, made it illegal for U.S. companies to provide services to distribute, maintain, or update TikTok starting Jan. 19, unless the platform's U.S. operations are separated from Chinese control.

“But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary. For the foregoing 20 TIKTOK INC. v. GARLAND Per Curiam reasons, we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners' First Amendment rights,” the High Court determined.

In its ruling, the Court acknowledged TikTok's significant role in American society, noting it "offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community" for more than 170 million Americans.

The Court also made reference to a 2020 Executive Order by then-President Trump addressing national security concerns that identified mobile applications developed by Chinese companies as threats to U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economy.

The decision underscores a balance between national security priorities and constitutional rights, as TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain.

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This morning, President Joe Biden made history with a groundbreaking clemency announcement commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders. The move, made just days before leaving office, marks the largest clemency action in U.S. history and fulfills Biden's promise to address decades of sentencing disparities.

In a statement, Biden called the sentences "disproportionately long" and rooted in outdated policies targeting crack versus powder cocaine that devastated Black communities.

"This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars," said Biden.

This follows a wave of clemency actions by Biden, including pardons for nonviolent offenders and commuting the sentences of nearly all federal death row inmates. With this bold step, Biden will leave office having issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history.

For many, this isn’t just a policy—it’s a second chance.

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(AURN News) — President-elect Donald Trump issued a statement this week on his social media platform Truth Social warning against recommending certain political figures and critics for positions in his incoming administration.

“The incoming Trump Administration has hired over 1,000 people for The United States Government. They are outstanding in every way, and you will see the fruits of their labor over the coming years. We will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and it will happen very quickly!” he posted.

“In order to save time, money, and effort, it would be helpful if you would not send, or recommend to us, people who worked with, or are endorsed by, Americans for No Prosperity (headed by Charles Koch), “Dumb as a Rock” John Bolton, “Birdbrain” Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, disloyal Warmongers Dick Cheney, and his Psycho daughter, Liz, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, General(?) Mark Milley, James Mattis, Mark Yesper, or any of the other people suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” he said.

Trump is set to be inaugurated as president on Monday, which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

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On this day in 1865, Union General William T. Sherman issued Special Field Order No. 15, promising freed Black families 40 acres and an army mule. The order, developed with input from Black leaders in Savannah, Georgia, set aside the Sea Islands and a 330-mile coastal stretch from Charleston, South Carolina, to Florida for settlement by freed Africans.

Land ownership was seen as the key to freedom and equality. After slavery was abolished, the land fell under the jurisdiction of the Freedmen's Bureau, which aimed to protect property rights and establish schools.

However, President Andrew Johnson later overturned Sherman’s order, returning the land to its original white owners. This betrayal forced many freed Black families into sharecropping, trapping them in cycles of poverty and debt.

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President Joe Biden gave his last farewell address to the nation from his Oval Office and offered a stark warning to Americans.

"I want to warn the country of some things that give me great concern. And that's the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people. The dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked. Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power, and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy," said Biden.

During the speech, President Biden also warned about the potential rise of a tech-industrial complex and the misinformation and disinformation that allows the abuse of power.

He also touted some of the work done under his administration but told the American people it would take time to feel the full impact. Biden is ending not only this presidency but also 50 years of service.

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(AURN News) — In President Joe Biden's final full month in office, inflation showed an uptick according to federal data, just days before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration as the nation's 47th president.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday that the Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in December, following a 0.3 percent increase in November. The overall inflation rate stands at 2.9 percent.

Several key sectors saw price increases over the past year. Food costs rose 2.5 percent, while electricity prices increased 2.8 percent over the 12-month period. Shelter costs showed a significant jump of 4.6 percent, and transportation services recorded a 7.3 percent increase over the year.

December's report also indicated price increases in housing, airline fares, used cars and trucks, motor vehicle insurance, and medical care, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, some categories saw decreases, including personal care, communication, and alcohol.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith criticized the economic data in a statement: "President Trump is inheriting an economy from President Biden where inflation still threatens families' savings and prices are still sky high. President Trump's policies are the right ones to help working families and January 20th can't come soon enough."

The data comes as Biden prepares to hand over the presidency to Trump next Monday.

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President of the Lawyers' Committee, Damon Hewitt, speaks on their lawsuit against President-elect Donald Trump, the Proud Boys, the impact of the January 6th Insurrection and his organization's commitment to the preservation of civil rights during the Trump administration.

Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jGSNWXJGvv0

Check out the complete "On the Record with Ebony McMorris" podcast here.

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Rev. Sharpton, Founder and President of the ‪@NationalActionNetwork‬ discusses the upcoming MLK March on Washington, President ‪@JoeBiden‬'s legacy, and the way forward for Black America under ‪@DonaldJTrumpforPresident‬'s administration.

Check out the complete "On the Record with Ebony McMorris" podcast here.

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